For the love of blue
February 2024. North Wales Coast ©John Rees
On a crisp cold and clear Winter morning I set out with a simple objective. I would make a long exposure, minimalist image that I wanted to print and hang on my wall. What you see above is the result and it combines the elements that I love, the sea, blue sky and simplicity.
I have always loved Blue. It’s my favourite colour and I’m not alone because it has consistently been voted as the world’s most loved colour.
Blue is the colour of the sky and the sea and this universally loved hue is often associated with trust, wisdom, and stability, and has the power to evoke a sense of calm and tranquility in the human psyche. In this blog post, I want to look at our fascination with blue, exploring its significance in nature, culture, art, and design.
Blue in Nature
The natural world is full of blue in many shades from the azure skies above us to the shimmering depths of the ocean. The human eye perceives blue when observing light with a wavelength between 450 and 495 nanometers, and it's no wonder that this captivating colour has become synonymous with the vastness of the open sky and the tranquility of a serene seascape.
Cultural Significance
Blue has held a significant place in many cultures throughout history. In ancient Egypt, blue symbolized the sky, the Nile River, and the universe, while in the Middle Ages, it represented virtue and faithfulness. In Buddhism, light blue is associated with healing and serenity, while in Hinduism, various shades of blue represent different aspects of the divine.
Artistic Expression
Artists have long been inspired by the beauty and depth of the colour blue. From the vivid ultramarine in the paintings of Johannes Vermeer to the dreamlike hues of Henri Matisse's Blue Nudes, the colour has played a central role in the history of art. More recently, artists such as Yves Klein have made blue the focal point of their work, exploring its ability to evoke powerful emotions and capture the essence of the human experience.
Design and Fashion
In the world of design, blue is a versatile colour that can adapt to a variety of styles and settings. From interior design to graphic design, it's a popular choice for its calming, grounding effect, as well as its visual impact. In the fashion world, blue is a classic colour that never goes out of style, from timeless denim to elegant navy evening gowns.
Why We Love Blue
Our love affair with blue is rooted in its natural beauty, as well as the myriad emotions and qualities it represents. It evokes feelings of trust, loyalty, and serenity, providing a sense of peace and calm in an often chaotic world. As the world's favorite colour, blue continues to captivate and inspire us, offering a window into the beauty and mystery of the natural world, and a reflection of the human experience.
So there you have it, a quick run through why blue is universally loved and why it’s a colour that I love to capture in my photographs. I’d love to know what you think and what your favourite colour is.